Top 10 Best Diver Watches Under 500

Wearing a good diver watch is important and not just for professionals. Even amateurs can have peace of mind with an accurate timepiece when they go under the water’s surface without having to check their phone every minute. These watches are specialized to suit the environment down deep. However, if you are on a budget, you may find it challenging to find the appropriate watch for you. To make things a lot easier for you, we have curated a list of the best diver watches under $500. We have also discussed each of their pros and cons so that you can weigh in on the product that would best suit your preferences.

Before we dive into these watches, a novice may find themselves asking, what is a diver watch?

A diver watch is a timepiece that has been designed to work for underwater diving. One of the features present in a diver watch (which we will elaborate on later) is its water resistance. Watches with a water resistance of more than 100 meters are the ideal products for diving. They should be constructed in a way that they should be reliable underwater, especially in saltwater environments.

The material and construction of this timepiece are more robust than usual watches. Hence many of these tend to be expensive. We recommend you go through our list of the best diver watches under $500 to help you out.

Summary of the Best Diver Watch Under $500

No	Product Name	Key Feature
1	Seiko SRP777 Prospex Automatic Diver’s Men’s Watch	Best diver watch for men
2	Luminox Men’s Navy Seal Pacific Diver 3120 Watch	Best stainless steel diver watch
3	Citizen Eco-Drive Diver’s Watch BN0085-01E	Best analog diver watch
4	NEYMAR Men’s Diver Automatic Stainless Steel Watch	Best automatic diver watch
5	Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Watch BN0150-28E	Best light-powered diver watch
6	Isobrite Thin Blue Limited Edition Watch	Best carbon-fiber diver watch
7	Pantor Sealion Pro Diver Watch	Best professional diver watch
8	Seiko Men’s SKX003K2 Diver’s Analog Watch	Best two-tone diver watch
9	Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s I.N.O.X. Pro Diver Watch	Best anti-magnetic diver watch
10	Stauer Men’s Stainless Steel Diver Wrist Watch	Best emerald diver watch

Best Diver Watch Under $500

1. Seiko SRP777 Prospex Automatic Diver’s Men’s Watch

Kicking off our list of the best diver watch under $500 is the Seiko SRP777 Prospex Automatic Diver’s Men’s Watch. This is a good diver’s watch with a classic Seiko design but with modern and quality features. Its display type is analog.

Wearability

This watch comes with two options for the strap: a metal bracelet and a silicone strap. It tapers down to 20 millimeters at the clasp. Moreover, it has four points, allowing you to adjust. The silicone strap, in particular, is smooth and features a metal keeper and a buckle design.

The Case

The case comes in a cushion shape with a height of around 48 millimeters. The case is large, but it is not that oversized. The size is designed to be functional yet comfortable at the same time. So instead of digging into the wrist, the watch would float.

Details 

• Movement: Automatic
• Case Diameter: 44 millimeters
• Water Resistance: 200 meters
• Strap: Silicone

Pros 

• This watch is incredibly comfortable to wear.
• It has an efficient timekeeping feature.
• It is durable to wear even when diving.

Cons

• The movement is kind of cheap.
• The band tends to break upon receipt.

Where to Buy Seiko SRP777 Prospex Automatic Diver’s Men’s Watch

2. Luminox Men’s Navy Seal Pacific Diver 3120 Watch

The Luminox Men’s Navy Seal Pacific Diver 3120 Watch is a professional watch used when diving. Whether it be deep diving, wreck diving, diving with poor visibility, or night diving, you can still clearly see the time with this watch. This watch features a high-quality non-scratching sapphire crystal. 

Diver-friendly

The features that this watch contains perks that frequent divers can enjoy. For instance, it consists of high-contrast dial elements so that you can see time quickly. Moreover, it has a water-resistant case and a unidirectional rotating bezel.

Night-friendly

The black case absorbs the light and makes it easy to grasp. At night, the luminescence of this Luminox watch takes over. The black background would then disappear. These features will make this watch a good option if you are often night swimming.

Details 

• Movement: Swiss Quartz
• Case Diameter: 44 millimeters
• Water Resistance: 200 meters
• Strap: Stainless Steel

Pros 

• It provides an accurate time.
• It looks and feels great on the wrist.
• The watch is heavy enough to know it’s there.

Con

• The tritium markers are not bright enough.

Where to Buy Luminox Men’s Navy Seal Pacific Diver 3120 Watch

3. Citizen Eco-Drive Diver’s Watch BN0085-01E

The Citizen Eco-Drive Diver’s Watch BN0085-01E is also a good option if you are looking for the best diver watch under $500. It features a sunray design on the inner dial and the rubber strap. This watch further features the following: date window, depth measurements, buckle closure, unidirectional bezel, and a protective mineral crystal dial window.

Eco-Drive Technology

One of the best features of this diver’s watch is its eco-drive technology. Eco-Drive gathers the power of light from any light source. Then, it transforms that into energy, removing the need for you to replace any battery. The watch would then recharge continuously, so no battery is required.

Stellar Craftsmanship

What makes this a good diver’s watch is its craftsmanship. We like its cardinal markers and the blue second hand. The lume applications are good as well. In addition to this, the steel case and the mineral glass feel solid and well-built as well. The rubber strap, more importantly, is of high quality.

Details 

• Movement: Japanese Quartz
• Case Diameter: 47 millimeters
• Water Resistance: 300 meters
• Strap: Rubber

Pros 

• It is easy to read the time with this watch. 
• It is an excellent watch for the price.

Cons

• The band does not fit quite well.
• The band is not comfortable to wear.

Where to Buy Citizen Eco-Drive Diver’s Watch BN0085-01E

4. NEYMAR Men’s Diver Automatic Stainless Steel Watch

The NEYMAR Men’s Diver Automatic Stainless Steel Watch is another diver’s watch that you do not want to miss out on. It features a brushed and polished stainless steel casing with rose gold embellishments. Moreover, it consists of a band with a push-button buckle. The band, in particular, has a brushed finish for a first-class look.

Case

The case of this watch is made of stainless steel. With a 44-millimeter diameter, this encases a large watch. Moreover, the case consists of sapphire crystal glass, making the watch robust and stunning to look at. You can find an automatic helium release valve and a Swiss-made lume.

Bezel

The bezel is made of ceramic. You can find small writings on the inner portion of the bezel. While the bezel is relatively small, it is a little bit thicker. So, in general, this bezel will not give you any trouble at all.

Details 

• Movement: Japanese-Automatic NH35
• Case Diameter: 44 millimeters
• Water Resistance: 1000 meters
• Strap: Stainless Steel

Pros 

• The ceramic bezel is beautifully crafted.
• It gives off an accurate time.
• The movement of the watch is excellent.

Cons

• The strap is not sturdy enough.
• The power reserve is not long enough.

Where to Buy NEYMAR Men’s Diver Automatic Stainless Steel Watch

5. Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Watch BN0150-28E

The Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Watch BN0150-28E is a good watch for your active diving lifestyle. It consists of features that could be of great help when you go swimming. These would include a one-way rotating elapsed-time bezel, a luminous three-hand display, and a strap with adjustable buckle closure, among others.

Eco-Drive Technology

One of the best features of this diver’s watch is its eco-drive technology. Eco-Drive gathers the power of light from any light source. Then, it transforms that into energy, removing the need for you to replace any battery. The watch would then recharge continuously, so no battery is even required.

Anti-Reflective Mineral Crystal

Thanks to its crystal dial window, this watch is the epitome of a wearable style, and the feature that makes this possible is the presence of the anti-reflective mineral crystal. This allows a crisp time display while protecting the luminous hands and the indicators.

Details 

• Movement: Eco-Drive
• Case Diameter: 44 millimeters
• Water Resistance: 200 meters
• Strap: Polyurethane

Pros 

• It is ideal for those involved in physical activities.
• The dials make it easy to read in the dark.

Cons

• The minute hand tends to have a slight amount of play.
• Longevity may not be its strongest suit.

Where to Buy Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Watch BN0150-28E

6. Isobrite Thin Blue Limited Edition Watch

The next of the best automatic diver watch on our list is the Isobrite Thin Blue Limited Edition Watch. It features a scratch-resistant crystal with an anti-reflective coating. This makes this watch a viable choice for when you would go diving. Finally, this watch has a unidirectional ratcheting diver bezel with two tritium elapsed minute markers.

Movement

This watch is powered by an accurate Swiss Made Ronda 715Li Quartz movement to ensure reliability. The watch further features a legible date display between 4 o’clock and 5 o’clock time.

Durable

What we also love about this watch is that it is robust. What makes it durable is its carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal that is scratch-resistant.

Details 

• Movement: Swiss-made Ronda
• Case Diameter: 47 millimeters
• Water Resistance: 200 meters
• Strap: Silicone

Pros 

• The glow at night is wonderful.
• It is lightweight but feels solid.
• The strap is soft and comfy to wear.

Cons

• The watch has an issue with its battery.
• It is not loaded with enough features.

Where to Buy Isobrite Thin Blue Limited Edition Watch

7. Pantor Sealion Pro Diver Watch

We also recommend picking Pantor Sealion Pro Diver Watch. This is a professional automatic diver watch for men with an automatic helium valve. Moreover, this watch offers innovative design solutions with an emphasis on utility.

The Case

The case of this watch has been inspired by the diving watches of the 60s and the 70s. It utilizes the standards material for the quality watch case. Hence it is made with stainless steel. The side and lug ends of the case have been nicely polished. The case top, on the other hand, has radial brushing.

The Bezel

The bezel has been perched above the case and is consonant with the design of the case. The bezel action is excellent, and its clicks into position. Moreover, the grip of the bezel is fantastic as well, especially when grasped between six and twelve.

Details 

• Movement: Japanese Automatic
• Case Diameter: 42 millimeters
• Water Resistance: 300 meters
• Strap: Stainless steel

Pros 

• The blue face of the watch is stunning.
• Its finish is excellent and striking.
• The watch is comfy and easy to wear.

Cons

• The crystal tends to fog up.
• Its timekeeping is not that accurate.

Where to Buy Pantor Sealion Pro Diver Watch

8. Seiko Men’s SKX003K2 Diver’s Analog Watch

The Seiko Men’s SKX003K2 Diver’s Analog Watch features a two-tone unidirectional bezel and blue dial. It boasts a blue dial and luminous hands, and a kinetic chronograph for next-generation high-performance timekeeping. We know you will love its kinetic auto replay that would rest your watch to the correct time. 

Innovative

This watch combines technology with a stylish and rugged design. Its bracelet with its safety clasp transitions into the classic round case. Both the strap and the case are made of stainless steel with a bright silver finish.

Water-resistant

This watch is water-resistant for up to 200 meters. So you can use it in various marine activities – whether it be professional or casual activity. We recommend this for serious surface water sports. However, we do not suggest using this for scuba diving.

Details 

• Movement: Japanese Automatic
• Case Diameter: 42 millimeters
• Water Resistance: 660 feet
• Strap: Stainless steel

Pros 

• The watch as a whole has an excellent finish.
• Its look and feel are excellent.
• The straps of the watch are interchangeable.

Cons

• The watch tends to stop while it is being worn.
• Its chapter ring is not aligned correctly.

Where to Buy Seiko Men’s SKX003K2 Diver’s Analog Watch

9. Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s I.N.O.X. Pro Diver Watch

The Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s I.N.O.X. Pro Diver Watch features a unidirectional rotating bezel and a count-up scale. It has been constructed to be able to endure 130 endurance homologation tests. 

Heavy-duty

One of the most prominent features of this watch is being robust. The stainless steel case of this watch is durable and indestructible. This is an essential feature for divers because you will have no problem with it getting wrecked immediately. Moreover, this watch features an expandable rubber strap that fits over your wet suits so you can explore the open waters without getting ripped.

Efficient Strap

It consists of a smooth rubber strap that wraps around your wrist for a good fit. Because of this, you can feel comfortable while you use this watch. Furthermore, the etched lines offer a chain-link appearance. Hence, you do not only get to use this when swimming. You can also use this in work and casual events.

Details 

• Movement: Swiss Quartz
• Case Diameter: 45 millimeters
• Water Resistance: 660 feet
• Strap: Rubber

Pros 

• The watch is solid and durable.
• It feels comfy and perfect on the wrist.
• Its design is attractive and striking.

Cons

• The watch hands tend to be misaligned.
• It is not suitable for deep diving.

Where to Buy Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s I.N.O.X. Pro Diver Watch

10. Stauer Men’s Stainless Steel Diver Wrist Watch

Completing our list of the best diver watch under $500 is the Stauer Men’s Stainless Steel Diver Wrist Watch. Its precision movement, expert craftsmanship, and its luxurious look make this watch something you would choose.

Appearance

All heads will turn with the stunning look of this watch. Its quartz movement provides a classy look. The stainless steel case is high-grade, adding to its attractive look. Because of its appearance, this versatile watch can suit formal or casual occasions. 

Waterproof

This watch is built similar to a submersible battleship. Hence this watch is water-resistant down to 660 feet. That is all thanks to its stainless steel case, strap, clap, and caseback. It is further reinforced with a screw-down crown and a hardened crystal.

Details 

• Movement: Analog quartz
• Case Diameter: 44 millimeters
• Water Resistance: 200 meters
• Strap: Stainless Steel

Pros 

• The green design makes the watch stand out.
• The movement functions well.
• Setting time and date is smooth and easy.

Cons

• The strap is a little lightweight.

Where to Buy Stauer Men’s Stainless Steel Diver Wrist Watch

Topic 2: What to Consider Before Buying the Best Diver Watch under $500

Water Resistance

Primarily, you have to consider that your diver watch is water-resistant. To assess if the watch is water-resistant, you have to check its degree of resistance. The water resistance rating determines how protected your timepiece is against water. The minimum value should be 1.0 MPa. That is equivalent to 10 atmospheres or 100 meters. But if you want to go diving while wearing a diver watch, we recommend that you pick a watch with at least 200 meters of water resistance. The higher the level, the better. But if you only plan on casual swimming, then possessing a watch with 100 meters of water resistance is already okay. If your diver watch is lower than 30 meters, then you should not bring this underwater.

Material

You would also have to look into the material of the diver watch. You might night to assess the quality of the material and ensure that they are excellent. We urge you to pick the watch with metal construction. These include stainless steel, gold, silver, and titanium. While stainless steel is a common pick, we urge you to choose the one with titanium construction. This material is more corrosion resistant. You can still pick a watch with a rubber strap, but choose the product that would not get destroyed easily due to its reaction underwater.

Rotating Bezel

Finally, having a rotating bezel is also an essential aspect of any diver watch. The bezel has markings with up to 60 minutes to allow you to determine how long you have been underwater easily. You can rotate the bezel so that the zero marks would be at the minute hand as you dive down. You will be able to see the duration of your dive without you having to calculate it.

Closing Thoughts on Best Diver Watch under $500

When it comes to the best diver watches under $500, you have to be more strategic about how you will buy one. This is because not every watch out there can be suitable for underwater use. So if you are looking for the ideal diver watch, focus on the quality of the material and its level of water resistance. We also urge you to look into the pros and cons of the aforementioned watches. This way, you can conveniently choose that watch that you will ultimately purchase.